• Nolan praises Ridley Scott’s “Gladiator II” as a long-awaited sequel.
• The film, released in November, is a box office hit and a testament to Scott’s brilliance.
• Nolan praised the film’s balance of original pathos with the sequel’s expansive themes.

Oscar-winning director Christopher Nolan revealed that Ridley Scott’s *Gladiator II* has topped his list of favorite films for 2024. During an appearance on “Variety’s Actors on Actors” segment, Nolan shared his thoughts on Scott’s movie, praising the Paul Mescal starrer as one of the best long-awaited sequels. He highlighted how the film successfully continued the franchise while also refreshing memories of the original.

The film, released in November, became a box office hit, with critics also showering it with praise. During the segment, Nolan commented, “Like the best long-awaited sequels, *Gladiator II* manages to be both a remake and a sequel. It’s a testament to Scott’s brilliance that he balances the original’s pathos with the sequel’s expansive themes, drawing on a lifetime of experience in controlling tone.”

Meanwhile, the storyline of “Gladiator II” centers around Paul Mescal’s character, Lucius, who enters the Colosseum to avenge the death of a loved one.

Amidst the praise, some viewers pointed out a few flaws in the film. One fan noted that Denzel Washington’s character, Maximus, uses the term “hose him down,” despite hoses not being invented during the era in which the narrative is set. Defending the director’s work, Nolan explained, “Scott knows we’re not there for insights into Roman culture; we’re there to witness our own dark desires from a comfortable distance.”

He further added, “Why are there sharks in the Colloseum? Because we demand them, and Scott masterfully gives them to us.”

At the end of his review, the “Interstellar” filmmaker revealed that Scott has not received as much recognition throughout his filmmaking career as he deserves.

On the work front, Christopher Nolan is currently working on an untitled film with Matt Damon, while the details of Ridley Scott’s upcoming projects remain unknown.

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